Saturday, March 31, 2012

One more dress from 1966. Here you have op art in all its glory. Larry Aldrich designed this black and white wool twill dress. Sold in 1966 for $160 (about $1,124 in today's dollar.) Hat by Halston, made to order at Bergdorf Goodman.

Friday, March 30, 2012

Did you notice Megan's eye makeup during the party scene on Mad Men last week? This look was very high fashion at the time and she wore it with confidence. You know every woman in the room was jealous. Why not try this look yourself? Here are more examples for your inspiration, all from 1966.

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

I first fell in love with Mad Men because of the fabulous early 60s fashions worn by Betty, Joan and Peggy. So did the rest of the world. I finally got to watch the Season 5 premiere yesterday and I'm in love again, this time with the bright, young fashions of 1966. Watch out, Betty, there's a new girl in town! Her name is Megan and she is set to take over our imaginations and become newest fashion inspiration for vintage fashionistas everywhere.

Here, Megan wears a black mini dress with sheer angel sleeves and a high neckline adorned with rhinestones. She wore the dress with black fishnets and looked incredibly sexy as she sang "Zou Bisou" to Don.

And here is Megan's stand out ensemble worn to work. Her simple bright orange shift is worn with a coordinating coat in a bold and modern zig-zag print.

We'll see bold prints galore this season. Jane Sterling looked perfect in this printed evening gown with long dangle earrings and big hairdo.

There was even a party attendee wearing what looked like Pucci. Evidently, these women have $$$$$$!

That orange and yellow checkered dress worn by Cynthia Cosgrove was actually bands of silk chiffon woven in and out to make the boldly patterned fabric. Trudy Campbell's dress looks matronly in comparison, although her big hair was really well done.

Peggy looked her usual awkward self. She just doesn't care about clothes, although I really liked this navy dress she wore when presenting an ad campaign to clients.

The dress Peggy wore to Don's birthday party was 5 years out-of-date and could have been worn by Betty in Season 1 or 2. But that's OK. It's Peggy.

And then there is new mother Joan. She looked jarringly out of fashion in this pink sheath she wore to visit the office. She even wore little white gloves while pushing the baby's perambulator. Joan's curvy figure is not compatible with the new younger styles and she knows it. I think we'll continue to see her wear what suits her body, and her fashion choices will start to look out of place among the staff that works for her.

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

It's 1946. The war is over. Time to spend the day basking in the sun and enjoying the ocean breezes without a care in the world. Red, navy and white are so classic together. How do you combine these colors?

Monday, March 26, 2012

I love this image from 1948. A woman wearing a dark suit with pearls and white gloves contemplates the latest fashions for spring in the window at Saks Fifth Avenue in New York. What will you be shopping for this spring?

Sunday, March 25, 2012

New this week at Couture Allure are more pretty vintage dresses for parties and for spending time in the sun. Be sure to check our What's New pages for all the latest listings! AND today is the last day of our Last Chance Sale! All remaining Last Chance items will be removed from the site forever tomorrow. Don't miss your chance for a vintage bargain at $50 or less!

Saturday, March 24, 2012

Cotton shift dresses from the 1960s with bright floral prints are easy and fun to wear all summer long. I would dearly love to find this one for my customers. This Maggy Rouff Boutique dress from 1967 is made of pure linen. I wish this photo were in color!

Friday, March 23, 2012

It's our largest Last Chance Sale ever! We need to make room for exciting happenings coming this summer, so we're clearing our racks here at Couture Allure. All items marked Last Chance in our Sale Room are $50 or less. The goodies are flying out the door fast and furious, though, so go shop NOW!

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Here in Boston, our weather has been unusually warm all winter and we're experiencing a very early spring. We're breaking all sorts of high temperature records this month. Today will be the warmest day yet with temps in the 80s, something we don't normally see until June. It's a day for playing out of doors, that's for sure. I think I'll go climb a tree. How about you? Dress by Lanvin-Castillo, 1954.

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

This morning I was doing my usual thing, flipping through one of my vintage magazines looking for inspiration to post for you here. And there it was....bam! This image nearly knocked me out of my chair! Do you see it? From 1954, this Rose Marie Reid swimsuit is made from black cotton printed with giant red, white and blue safety pins! Look again.....do you see it? The matching cotton terry beach towel with the same print enlarged on white terry! This will make me smile all day long. Swimsuit sold in 1954 for $12 (about $102 in today's dollar.) Beach towel sold in 1954 for $4 (about $34 in today's dollar.)

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Whoa! And you thought the jumpsuit was a 70s invention! This one piece jumpsuit by Baldini is from 1958. I love the bold black and white cotton print. There is no indication, but this probably buttons or zips at the front. It looks fabulous on her, but since there is no stretch in the fabric, I'll bet this wasn't all that comfortable to wear. Sold in 1958 for $35 (about $276 in today's dollar.)

Monday, March 19, 2012

I've just added lots of new markdowns and taken further reductions in the Sale Room at Couture Allure. There are now 81 fabulous bargains to be had. Go grab a deal today! Here's a small sample of what you'll find.

Sunday, March 18, 2012

I listed several dresses for spring and summer this past week, but today, I just want to share one with you. This 1950s full skirt dress by Pauline Trigere is a rare and wonderful treat. Lovely roses adorn the substantial silk twill fabric and the skirt is huge with a 322" circumference at the hem. Trigere pieces from the 40s and 50s are quite difficult to find now and I've never seen a full skirted dress by her for sale anywhere. As an added bonus, it's not too tiny! Bust 38" and waist 27". Love it? Me too!

Friday, March 16, 2012

It's Summer 1965. Christian Dior uses the latest fad of wild and crazy prints for this terrycloth bikini and silk chiffon coverup for his Boutique label. I wish the colors were a bit brighter, but it's gorgeous all the same. Do you suppose one of these bikinis is hiding in a drawer or an attic somewhere in the world just waiting for someone to find it and appreciate it? I hope so.

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Today, no company in their right mind would show three women in animal prints wearing collars and leashes. I'm not so sure this was a good idea for Cole of California in 1954, when this ad was published. There's no denying these swimsuits are sexy though. "Three exciting swimsuits from Cole's Female Animal Collection. Fur-printed cotton...cut and shirred to make you the choicest specimen in captivity! Zebra, leopard, tigress....which are you?" These suits sold for $10.95 in 1954 (about $92 in today's dollar.)

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Want to attend the St. Patrick's Day Parade in style? How about wearing all white with this gorgeous green plaid coat by Originala? No shamrocks required. Here's a hint, though........leave the headband at home. Entire ensemble by Originala, 1969.

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Ah, Spring. A time when all young women dream of prom and the dress they will wear. Much like a wedding dress, your prom dress is one you remember all your life. It's important to make it special. In 1955, Bonwit Teller featured this "delectable froth of white embroidered organdy" dress by Cotillion Formals. Layers of white ruffles float over a full net petticoat. So pretty, so special, and most importantly, so memorable. Sold in 1955 for $59.95 (about $507 in today's dollar.)

About

A blog for lovers of vintage clothing and fashion, where you can learn about vintage styles, designers, and design concepts through photos from the past. I also feature vintage garments available for sale at my website. Your comments are welcome! Shop http://www.coutureallure.com/ for the best in vintage fashion.